"In the early '70s, Belgian improvisor Fred Van Hove released three LPs on the Vogel label. These recordings, issued in very small quantities, have become some of the most sought-after and difficult to find items in the canon of European improvised music. Even some of the hardest-digging vinyl freaks haven't heard of these treasures- let alone own them. Compiling the two solo Vogel records (Fred Van Hove and Live At The University) and one record of duets with tenor saxophonist Cel Overberghe (Een Tweede Vogel), as well as an even rarer 7-inch 45 by Van Hove and Overberghe, Complete Vogel Recordings offers a rare document of one of the greatest pianists in free music from a particularly fertile period in his career. In addition to the tenor/piano duets, the record with Overberghe includes some musique concrete and overdubbed parts, with the saxophonist on bass and drums and Van Hove on organ; Live At The University features Van Hove on conventional piano, but also performing his special prepared piano improvisation with ping-pong balls on the strings."